Acid Reflux And Pregnancy

Keeping Pregnant Women Away From Acid Reflux Dilemma

Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies, and this happens for several reasons.

One of these is the increase of hormones in a woman’s body while they are pregnant. This increases the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to be closed, because it softens the ligaments function. As LES relaxes, the tendency is for the gastric acids and ingested foods to reflux back up into the esophagus area and throat.

Another reason they experience heartburn during pregnancy is from the changes occurring within her body as the baby begins to develop and grow, increasing pressure on her stomach. This will cause the stomach to force it’s contents up into the LES and the esophagus.

However, there are several methods that a pregnant woman can observe to lessen the discomfort brought from heartburn. The following is some good advice, although this may not remove the heartburn totally.

1. Refrain from foods already known to be causes of heartburn. For example: spicy foods, citrus fruits or juices, mustard, tomatoes or tomatoes base products, fatty food, deep fried food or anything with a lot of seasoning in them. Try to refer to medical specialists to know the complete list of foods to avoid Acid Reflux.

2. Avoid beverages with caffeine in them, such as; coffee, tea and soda. Too much of these will cause the LES to relax and let the acid to return into the esophagus.

3. Always avoid alcoholic beverages. This, like caffeine tends to relax the LES thus, creating the same effect of triggering heartburn.

4. Do not eat large meals. You will find that by eating smaller meals more often through out the day will be a big help.

5. Avoid rush when eating your meals. Chewing food thoroughly will really help in avoidance of heartburn, so it is better take your time while eating.

6. Make sure to rest after eating and avoid doing too much activity on a full stomach.

7. A pregnant woman is advised to take more glasses of water a day, at least 8 to 10 glasses, though this must be taken not just during meals. Through this, the stomach will expand, and then the LES will be given more pressure, obliging it to open inappropriately. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.

8. When sleeping elevate the head of the bed to be at least six to eight inches high. Try to sleep with an elevated head and shoulders through a wedge pillow. By doing this, gravity will work to help keep your stomach acids down in the right place, and not up in your esophagus area. You can go online or speak with your doctor to find other methods that will help minimize nighttime heartburn.

9. Make sure the clothes you wear are not too tight. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn as it causes uneasiness.

10. When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. This will avoid in creating too much pressure in the stomach.

11. Keep a good posture when your walking and when sitting.

12. Keep an eye on your weight too, because too much fat around your stomach will put undue stress on it. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. It is always best to stay with your doctors guidelines.

13. Avoid smoking. Medically speaking the causes of cigarette smoke are very harmful to pregnant women and is one of the known causes for heartburn too. As you follow these tips, you will have a much healthier experience during your pregnancy.